Kerbside collections in Alert Level 4

Changes to Council’s kerbside collection service have been implemented to ensure waste can be collected without putting people at risk.

The main risks come from the manual emptying of glass and food scrap bins, and manual sorting of mixed recyclable materials. Neither of these activities can take place in Alert Level Four.

Kerrie Little, Council’s Acting Group Manager for Infrastructure Services says, “During Alert Level Four we have to send all collected waste and recycling to landfill, it’s unavoidable to keep people safe.” But Kerrie says, if you can hold onto your recycling, you’ll be able to take it to recycling centres later.

“For those households who can - we’d encourage you to hold onto your recycling until it can be emptied and sorted safely.” Kerrie says food scraps can also be kept in the freezer until they can be safely emptied or composted.

“We know it’s not going to work for everyone but we are keen not to let COVID-19 derail the great work we’ve done to divert waste from landfill so far.

“This is one of those times that a little bit of Kiwi ingenuity goes a long way – let’s keep up our good work where we can.”

For those who can’t hold onto their recycling or food scraps, the red and yellow bins can and will be emptied safely as they are lifted by the truck’s mechanical arm. Collections for red and yellow lid bins will remain as scheduled.

Council’s kerbside collection will take place in the same areas as normal, and will be reviewed as more information becomes available.

Council’s assisted kerbside collection service is also on hold due to the level of manual handling required. If you receive assisted collection and missed this week’s collection, Council may be able to visit your property next week to provide an assisted service if it is safe to do so.

Assisted service customers can contact council if they have any questions about their service.

Kerrie’s top tips and reminders

• Food scraps and glass crates can’t be picked up and should be stored until recycling centres reopen and full service resumes, or combined into the red or yellow bin
• Red bins will be collected as normal with PAYT tags
• Yellow bins will be collected as normal but diverted to landfill